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On December 3, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Gathering of “Discover the Treasures of Farming, Mountain and Fishing Villages” at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
 
“Allow me to offer some words upon this Gathering of ‘Discover the Treasures of Farming, Mountain and Fishing Villages.’
 
This marks the sixth time that we are holding this event. Whenever I meet people working hard in the agriculture, forestry, or fishery industry it always makes me think of the scenery of my hometown. Nagato City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, my hometown, was once Yuya Town in Otsu District. It has now become a part of Nagato City. It was a small town surrounded by the Sea of Japan and the mountains of the Sanin (the shadows of the mountains) region. There you will find the terraced rice fields of Higashi Ushirobata. The view of these paddy fields built into the hilly area stretching out towards the Sea of Japan is so beautiful that it really takes your breath away. When squid fishing boats go out to sea, the fires lit by the boats are reflected all over the sea and the water in the terraced rice fields, for a truly beautiful sight. I always describe it as being so beautiful that it takes your breath away. That is actually because, during an election campaign, as I was riding around in my campaign car and was supposed to be saying ‘This is Shinzo Abe,’ I suddenly forgot to say my name when we came across this scenery. In other words, it was so beautiful it literally took our breath away. The thing is, these rice terraces were apparently cultivated by the Mori clan after it was defeated in the Battle of Sekigahara and the size of its territory was reduced as a result. When the territory of more than 2 million koku* was thus reduced to 360,000 koku, many members of the warrior class became farmers and cultivated the land, building high stone walls on the steep inclines of the land. One could say that these rice terraces were the fruit of the hard work put in by the farmers of the time. Regardless of the era, we must never forget the people working hard in the shadows behind those who are playing the leading role.  
 
For this ‘Discover the Treasures of Farming, Mountain and Fishing Villages,’ we have established a new division for individuals. People’s hard work and contributions make their communities vibrant, which in turn makes Japan itself vibrant. Hence, we want to focus not only on the appeal of each area, but to also place the spotlight on the appeal of their people and promote this across the whole of Japan. When I look across this venue today with that spirit in mind, all I see are truly wonderful people, so much so that this room even seems to have been set aglow.
 
In addition, as many as three senior high schools have been selected this time as the ‘Treasures of Farming, Mountain and Fishing Villages.’ Many initiatives led by the elderly and women have also been selected. I think that the ability to play an active role regardless of age or gender demonstrates the inclusiveness of the agricultural, forestry and fishery industries. I hope that you will all have confidence in yourselves, and continue to reach even greater heights. I believe it is the people working hard in local communities, the agricultural, forestry and fishery industries, who have preserved the beautiful and unspoiled landscapes of Japan, as well as its environment, culture and traditions. You have spent your lives with the pride that you are the ones that protect local communities. Even from that perspective, we would like to work with you and protect this beautiful Japan; amidst such a movement, your contributions will lead to the protection of this beautiful Japan.   
 
I would like to conclude my remarks by praying for your continued success. Congratulations to you all.”
 
*A measurement of territory based on the amount of rice that could be produced.